Prominent ears (bat ears)

Summary

Prominent ears (bat ears)

Prominent ear, or bat ear, is an abnormally protruding human ear. It may be unilateral or bilateral. Protruding ears in children can often lead to a child being teased at school. It is due to a defect in part of the cartilage (gristle) of the ear, and one or both ears can be affected. Surgical correction can be carried out by a plastic surgeon, if the patient wishes, but not usually before the age of approximately six years, because by this stage the cartilage in the ear is more mature.